Your Teeth Whitening Information Guide
Looking to transform confidence in your smile? Are you feeling low due to a degrading smile? Then you’re after teeth whitening treatment!
Keep reading on! We have everything you need to know about teeth whitening treatment right here!
Teeth whitening has never been popular like it is today and is now one of the most in-demand cosmetic dentistry treatments to deliver the shine to your pearly whites. Not only has it proven to transform your aesthetic appearance, but a happy and healthy smile delivers a transformation of your aesthetic appearance and a better quality of life.
You may have also heard that you can obtain teeth whitening DIY kits but aren’t sure on their effectiveness to your smile. There are many factors in teeth whitening treatment that you need to consider getting the best results for your oral health needs.
If you’re suffering from deep staining, yellow dentin, worn down enamel or a lack of confidence, continue to read on to learn how teeth whitening will help you. We provide a comprehensive overview of everything teeth whitening from treatments, products, costings and answer your common questions.
When patients get their teeth whitened, many believe that their teeth will stay white and clean forever after a single visit to the dentist. However, this is far from the truth. Maintaining those pearly whites carry an extra responsibility, particularly at home where the quality of your smile depends on the measures you as the patient take with your oral health and hygiene habits to keep your smile shining for the long-term.
Unsure how? Luckily, we break down everything you need to know to learn how you can keep those pearly whites shining through for years to come.
There is much to share, so let’s begin!
What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a form of cosmetic dentistry that lightens the shade of your teeth to make them lighter. This does not require the removal of the tooth surface but uses a natural bleaching agent as the whitening solution to make your teeth white. Professional cosmetic treatment is performed in-office by the dentist or hygienist. It helps to remove deep discolouration, reduces plaque formed from debris and clears the mouth from bacteria.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Who doesn’t love or want a dazzling shiny smile? The smile you’ve always dreamt about is only an hour away! A typical tooth whitening appointment usually takes around one hour to transform your smile. It is a safe and painless procedure but requires special skills from the dentist to ensure you avoid any tooth or gum sensitivity.
Before the dentist begins applying the treatment, a pre-examination is performed. This is to understand the state of your teeth. As part of the examination, the dentist will talk to you about the shade of white you’re looking for. Where there are no immediate concerns with your oral health, the treatment can begin.
- Cleaning The Teeth – The first step is to clear your mouth from any debris and surface stains. This can be done with special polish paste to ensure your mouth is clean and clear before applying the bleaching agent.
- The Shade – The dentist will present assorted shades of a tooth with different shade colours to determine which sample matches the shade of your natural teeth. This is essential to avoid an awkward smile. Ultimately, as the patient, you’ll have the final say on the shade you would like.
- Apply The Dental Dam – In order to protect the gums and oral tissues, the dentist will apply a dental dam or a rubber seal to keep the teeth isolated.
- Apply The Bleaching Agent – The bleaching agent used is formed from a gel made out of hydrogen peroxide and is then applied to the teeth. The higher the concentration agent, the better the results. Most whitening gel’s applied is within the range of 15-30%.
- Activate The Laser – The bleaching light or laser is activated. This form of treatment is optional for some dental practices. The laser is directly applied to the teeth to speed up the process.
Once teeth are exposed to the whitener, they are thoroughly washed and all dental equipment and devices are removed. The procedure typically lasts up to 60 minutes.
Teeth Whitening Treatment Aftercare
The crucial round-up of your teeth whitening appointment is to learn the aftercare tips to maintain excellent oral health and the shiny shade in your teeth.
Be warned, you must not neglect your teeth after the procedure, it doesn’t work like that!
There are some important aftercare tips you need to follow going forward for the treatment to be worth it. Here are some helpful tips.
- Avoid Brushing Teeth for 48 Hours – It is recommended that you do not brush your teeth immediately after treatment. This is because teeth whitening treatments open up pores on teeth which absorbs stains much easier.
- Avoid Dark Solids and Liquids – One of the key dentist recommendations will be to transform your diet. Your teeth are now at risk to stains after teeth whitening treatment. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce or completely avoid dark foods and liquids that will darken the shade on teeth.
Foods To Avoid
- Chocolate
- Sauces
- Dark Berries
- Red Meat
- Spinach
- Citrus Fruits
- Candy
- Dark Fruit and Vegetables
Drinks To Avoid
- Coffee
- Sodas
- Red Wine
- Tea
We understand the struggle of limiting favourite food and drink. However, the adjustments are necessary for your teeth to shine.
- Regular Brushing and Flossing – The basic yet most important recommendation is regularly to brush and floss your teeth twice a day.
- Rinse Mouth Regularly – It is especially important that you rinse your mouth regularly after eating. This ensures plaque doesn’t form from the debris. This can lead to bacteria.
- Eat More Calcium-Rich Foods – Calcium is an essential ingredient for strong teeth. Therefore, accommodate for foods that contain sources of calcium, particularly cheese, dairy and vegetables.
- Avoid Alcohol and Smoking – Alcohol and Smoking stain teeth very quickly whilst leading to decay. It is recommended you avoid consumption permanently.
Why Should I Get My Teeth Whitened?
As you get older, everyday wear and tear is quite natural but takes a toll on the health of your teeth. Although your teeth may be very strong and healthy, they can still be worn down because the mouth functioning is regularly active from eating, chewing and speaking.
Eventually, stains within teeth can form which consists of a compound of darker shades called chromogens, accumulated in the inner layer of teeth (intrinsic discolouration), and the outer layer of teeth (extrinsic discolouration).
Intrinsic staining can be attributed to genetics and ageing where the enamel wears down over time exposing the yellow dentin. Extrinsic staining is largely due to oral hygiene habits, particularly food and drink consumed. The coloured compounds from these sources are absorbed onto the surface of the tooth causing stains to appear.
In addition to this, how you look after your teeth at home is a key dependency to avoid stains and maintain postive overall oral health. Here are some popular reasons why you should get your teeth whitened:
- Remove stains caused by consumption of dark food and sodas
- Improve oral health and prevent oral diseases
- Reverse yellow blemishes on teeth
It is not surprising that teeth whitening has become such a popular procedure, because we all want a long-lasting positive impression and shiny teeth improves appearance and self-confidence considerably.
Can I Use Teeth Whitening Kits Instead?
Many patients seek quick results for whiter teeth and are easily appealed by purchasing DIY teeth whitening kits from their local market. This saves the effort in visiting the dentist and instead use the over-the-counter kits to get white results fast. However, are they safe for your oral health?
Research has proven that teeth whitening kits aren’t safe for long-term oral health. Whilst you may identify short-term results, teeth whitening kits will be detrimental for your teeth. Here’s why:
- Over-The-Counter Products Contain Dangerous Chemicals – DIY kits are marketed to deliver instant whitening results. However, the chemicals are unknown and this is dangerous without understanding the ingredients used to build the product. The lack of research and identification of the chemicals used will do more harm to your teeth than good.
- Short-Term Results – Are you after a smile for the short-term? You may need it for a job interview or a date. You may get away with showing off a dazzling smile, but do you trust the results in the long-term? Teeth whitening kits contain a strong oxidizing agent that penetrates and damages the enamel and cause chemical burns. As soon as the kits are applied, the damage is unknown.
Teeth Whitening Procedure Breakdown And Cost
All dental offices offer teeth whitening for a dazzling smile. In order to get an affordable cost, there are certain factors that will impact the cost you pay for teeth whitening treatment.
- Location – In Australia, especially in busier metropolitan areas such as inner Sydney, the cost of teeth whitening treatment may be on the higher side. Therefore, research the most accessible area that offers cheaper treatment.
- Type Of Treatment – Dentists are well prepared in delivering multiple teeth whitening options. This isn’t simply restricted to in-chair dental treatment. The dentist also includes:
- – At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits – A whitening gel is applied to the tray and with a whitening light.
- – Dental Whitening Trays – Dentists can mould a custom mouth-tray with a whitening gel for you to wear at home.
- – In-Chair Teeth Whitening – Performed by the dentist with a bleaching agent or a UV light in a booked appointment.
- Bleaching or UV Lighting? – A bleaching agent is a popular cosmetic treatment that removes stains for whiter teeth. A UV light activates oxidation to improve the whiteness effect. Most dental practices use bleaching agent as part of treatment, but UV lighting is also an option to maximize the effect. Consult your dentist for further information.
| TREATMENT | RESULTS | AVERAGE COST |
| At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits | To be used every month with shades beginning to lighten 7-10 days after application | $79-$99 |
| Take Home Whitening Trays | To be applied within 6 months with shades beginning to lighten 10 days after application | $300-$500 |
| In-Chair Teeth Whitening | Immediate results with maximum two years lifetime (depending on your oral hygiene habits) | $800-$1200 |
Any Questions?
It is recommended that you consult your local dentist in Australia to determine the type of teeth whitening treatments available. This can vary depending on location as well. You may be expected to pay more of an average cost in Melbourne compared to Sydney.
For more information on teeth whitening treatments, helpful tips and how it may benefit you, visit our blog page.